Horváth Géza (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 16. (Budapest 1918)

Fejérváry, G.J.: Contributions to a Monography on fossil Varanidae and on Megalanidae 16

3-74 G. J. DE FEJ ÉR VARY lifte'common in Varanus; it may ho weder be safely affirmed that this shape isnot the original or natural one, and only due to a mechanical process during fossilisation, in consequence of which the anterior part of the proc. spin, broke away, the surface of the fracture becoming polished in the course of fossilization ; the spongious texture characteristic to the inner structure of bones, visible on the proc. spinosus' margin, very evidently proves the fragmentary condition of this part. The hind point of proc. spin, is also broken, the process ending thus by a roundededged fracture ; in the middle region of the h i u d surface of proc spin, a slight median elevation is visible, bifurcating further on and ending in the faint ridge which separates the posterior zygapophysis' h ind s u rface from the inner one, bearing hereby a A-like shape. Under the two lower ridges of this mentioned bony elevation the neural arch falls in a blunt angle (formed by the named ridges) towards the brains large neural canal, slightly bending over in a subhorizontal direction and continuing in the neural canal's upper, arch-like surface. Lateral parts of arcmi vertebrae moderately robust. Crista m e d i a 1 i s c a n a 1 i s v e r t e b r a 1 i s (mihi)* feebly developed, sulci laterales can. vert, (mihi) v e r y shallow, c r i s t a e laterales can. vert, (mihi)

1 only f e e b 1 y developed, most marked in the median part of neural canal, completely vanishing at both ends of it. (These markings cculd not be here clearly expressed on the respective figures, Pl. I, Figs. 4—5). Foramina intervertebralia must have been tolerably strongly developed, more so than it seems to be the case in f V. maratlionensis' WEITH., or in the recent V. griseus DAUD. for instance. Measurements :

2 Median length of centre*, from ant. border of neural canal** to hind margin of ball:; 15*7. Breadh of surface** indicating proc. odontoideus : 7. Height of surface** indicating proc. odontoideus: 5*21. Median distance between surfaces indicating hypapophyses and proc odontoid.: 7*2. Distance from lower edge of ball to hind margin of talon : 2"28. Length of surface indicating talon: 3*4. Width of surface indicating talon: 3*4. 1 These terms are explained on figures representing verterebrœ of f V. marathonensis ; see Fig. 10, Pl. I & Fig. 7, Pl. II; the sulci laterales are not designated on these photographes, and are represented by the excavations visible between the er. lateiales (cZ) and the or. media]is (cm). > 2 Somewhat damaged parts are indicated by a n*, strongly damaged ones by two asterisks (**).